The Spanish city of Seville is a popular holiday hotspot with UK tourists. It’s famed for its incredible architechture, bustling nightlife and sizzling weather.
The region gets an average of 12 hours of sunlight a day and even an average of 21C temperatures in March, making it the perfect city break for those wanting to escape the dreary English weather. But in summer it sees scorching highs, with 45C heatwaves which are arguably too hot for most tourists.
Rising temperature levels over recent years have led to concerns among weather experts who claim Seville is morphing into a desert. The city was previously dubbed the ‘Iberian oven’.
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The landlocked city sits in the foothills of mountains, Express reports. It recieves wind from Africa into the plains which weather experts have said means we are ‘walking into unknown territory… the city is turning into a desert’.
Peak heat levels tend to be towards the end of July and the beginning of August – but it depends on airflow. Tourists need to be aware of extreme conditions and hazards including sunstroke and dehydration.
In August 2023, temperatures topped 40C and remained in the high 30s throughout the summer. Travel expert Huw Owen recommends tourists visit in the spring and autumn months when temperatures are lower and more comfortable.
If you visit during the summer months, you should stay sheltered between the hours of noon and 7pm, instead enjoying the cooler evenings. Activities including the Cathedral and the Alcazar Royal Palace can be explored while avoid the heat.
Dr Ellie Murtagh, from the British Red Cross, said: “If you are travelling to a country experiencing extreme heat, there are several steps you can take to keep yourself and others safe. This includes wearing sunscreen, staying out of the sun during the warmest hours of the day, drinking plenty of water and drinking less alcohol.
“You can also help keep wherever you’re staying cool by keeping blinds and windows closed.” Extreme heat can be dangerous to vulnerable people so it is important to take extra care if you are older or have health conditions.